The Great Lakes Region Conflict Case Study Of Democratic Republic Of Congo

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Abstract

Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to causes countless death and
destruction of property thus posing greater insecurity in the entire Great lakes region, with DRC
security forces and non-state armed groups responsible for serious abuses against civilians. The
Rwandan-backed M23 armed group continues to perpetrate widespread war crimes, including
summary executions, rapes, and forced recruitment of children into their forces. Numerous other
armed groups have carried out horrific attacks on civilians in eastern Congo, including in North
and South Kivu, Katanga, and Orientale provinces. Fighters from the Nduma Defense of Congo
militia group, led by Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, killed, raped, and mutilated scores of civilians in
North Kivu. They include the Raia Mutomboki, the Nyatura, the Mai Mai Kifuafua, and the
Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a largely Rwandan Hutu armed group,
some of whose members participated in the Rwandan genocide in 1994.The conflict revolve
around minerals and poor governance. This research paper looks objectively on the causes of
conflict, conflict management approaches and the social economic impact of conflict in DRC and
the entire Great Lakes region. Greed grievance theory is employed to guide in data collection and
analysis. The research paper uses qualitative research design and collection of data done through
secondary data from already published material on DRC conflict. The research concludes and
recommends measures to be put in place to bring about peace.